The band drew upon a variety of stylistic influences over the course of their career, including 1960s beat music, soul, rhythm and blues and psychedelic rock, as well as 1970s punk and new wave. The trio was known for its melodic pop songs, its distinctly English flavour and its mod image. The band launched the career of Paul Weller, who went on to form The Style Council and later had a successful solo career. Weller wrote and sang most of The Jam’s original compositions, and he played lead guitar, using a Rickenbacker. Bruce Foxton provided backing vocals and prominent basslines, which were the foundation of many of the band’s songs, including the hits "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight", "The Eton Rifles", "Going Underground" and "Town Called Malice".
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Don't Tell Them You're Sane
The Jam Lyrics
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At least that's what the doctors say he is
Shut in his room for hours on end
Looks like he's forgotten, but is he?
His mind - it ticks more than you know
One day something in his head will click
Warders fill him full of lies; he fights, he knows
They'll never convince him that he's mad!
Just a word out of place, he's sent to his room
Don't tell them you're sane
They'll laugh and put you to sleep
Don't tell them you're sane, but you are
Tell me what you did today, was it good?
What was it like, and who was it with?
Don't think I'm prying; I'd just like to know
Why it is you do things so slow?
Take him to the doctor, see what he says
I don't know why he bothers; he's in for good
The Jam's "Don't Tell Them You're Sane" is a passionate commentary on the ways in which society labels and controls those who do not conform to its norms. The song tells the story of a young man who is struggling with mental health issues, but is being dismissed by those around him as simply "sick in his head." The lyrics highlight the way in which the boy is isolated from the world, locked in his room for hours on end and subjected to constant scrutiny from doctors and warders. Despite this, he remains defiant, refusing to accept that he is "mad" and struggling against those who would try to convince him otherwise.
The chorus of "Don't Tell Them You're Sane" is a call to arms for those who are struggling against society's expectations: "Don't tell them you're sane, they'll laugh and put you to sleep / Don't tell them you're sane, but you are." The song acknowledges the difficulty of speaking out against the status quo, but exhorts the listener to do so nonetheless. The final verse of the song is a poignant plea for understanding and connection, as the singer asks the sick boy about his day and expresses a desire to know him better.
Overall, "Don't Tell Them You're Sane" is a powerful and emotional statement about mental health, conformity, and the power of individual agency in the face of societal pressure.
Line by Line Meaning
A boy I know is sick in his head
I know a boy who has been declared mentally sick by the doctors
At least that's what the doctors say he is
The doctors identify him with a mental illness
Shut in his room for hours on end
He spends long periods locked up in his room
Looks like he's forgotten, but is he?
Even though he appears to be forgotten, he may not be
His mind - it ticks more than you know
His mind is more active than it seems
One day something in his head will click
At some point, he may have a mental breakthrough
Warders fill him full of lies; he fights, he knows
The doctors and warders try to manipulate him with lies, but he resists
They'll never convince him that he's mad!
He firmly believes that he is not crazy and cannot be convinced otherwise
At breakfast he is strapped in a chair (won't go far)
He is restrained during meals due to fear of self-harm
Just a word out of place, he's sent to his room
Any deviation from the norm may lead to punishment and confinement to his room
Don't tell them you're sane
He should not reveal his sanity to the doctors as it will not be believed
They'll laugh and put you to sleep
The doctors will not take him seriously and forcibly sedate him
Don't tell them you're sane, but you are
He is aware of his own sanity, but must keep it from the doctors
Tell me what you did today, was it good?
He is asked about his activities, possibly to assess his mental state
What was it like, and who was it with?
The question delves deeper into his activities and relationships
Don't think I'm prying; I'd just like to know
The questioner tries to assure him that they are not trying to invade his privacy
Why it is you do things so slow?
The question suggests that his slowness may be a sign of his illness
Take him to the doctor, see what he says
Someone suggests taking the boy to a doctor for further assessment
I don't know why he bothers; he's in for good
The singer does not believe that the doctor's opinion will change or be useful
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing
Written by: BRUCE FOXTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind